Tropical Forests on the Brink: Impending Leaf Death and Photosynthesis Crisis

Tropical forests are approaching critical temperature thresholds, according to a study that analyzed the heat tolerance of 147 tropical forest species. The research found that leaf heat tolerance varied with elevation and leaf functional traits, but not with phylogeny. The study highlights the need to address climate change and protect tropical forests, as rising temperatures could have significant impacts on their biodiversity and ecosystem functioning. Data and code related to the study are available for further analysis.